We are here...inventing the future!

Welcome to Community Alliance & Action Network...“We are here...” for you!

We are an LGBTQ organization that provides advocacy, support, and outreach services for the lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer community, and our allies, in Joliet, IL and the surrounding area. Our Mission is to build community and personal alliances to better the quality of life of all no matter the sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expressions. We provide education, and advocacy, to celebrate our diversity, and to inform others about issues affecting our lives.

We don't believe in the status quo. We believe in equality for everyone!

Let's connect!:

Contact Us: Get in touch with us by Email, phone, postal service; or fill out a quick form to request more information. We never share your personal information.

Join Us! Become a member of CAAN, or donate (fully deductible) securely.

Meet Us! Attend an event, call to just chat, or borrow books from our library.

During the Obama administration the LGBTQ community benefited in that denying same sex marriage was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, there were a slew of executive orders signed, the way law was interpreted permitted the LGBTQ community some civil rights, and the Equality Act was introduced with 157 co-sponsors. Now under the Trump administration the LGBTQ community has lost the protection of executive orders, it has lost the protection of having a non-biased attorney general, and the Equality Act won't be called for vote. Don't let what has happened at the federal level happen in Illinois. Illinois is considered to be friendly to the LGBTQ community because the laws of Illinois grant us full civil rights. It will be that way only as long as we remain vigilant.
Let's get political.

If you have had any type of incident because of your orientation, gender, gender expression, ethnicity, race, or disability please call us at 815-726-7906 or e-mail us at info@caanmidwest.org. You may make a report yourself or we can assist you. Feel free to contact Councilwoman Jan Quillman at janquillman@att.net. Contact Alan Roechner the Deputy Chief of Investigations at (815) 726-2491 or you may use the online form Non-Emergency Contact Joliet Police

Respect of others beliefs and the right to express them is what democracy looks like. Let's work to create a community that celebrates diversity. It is our strength. We don't have to think alike in order to work together on common goals. We all want water, food, shelter, good health, and jobs.

Modern History:

June 28, 1969 the police were doing their typical raid on a gay bar. The Stonewall Inn in New York City was a gay bar that drag queens, trans men, trans women, and prostitutes patronized, and where homeless trans/gay/lesbian youth loitered around. Being gay was against the law. The cops were doing their job conducting yet another raid on this gay bar but this time the paddy wagons were late. The sight of arrested patrons waiting on the sidewalk drew a crowd from around the community and sparks flew. Frightened cops withdrew into the Inn surrounded by angry LGBTQ people. Police action saved the cops but the riots lasted a few days. Within two years from June 28, 1969 there were LGBTQ organizations not only in every major U.S. city but around the planet. Now same sex marriage is the law of the land. People of the LGBTQ community are in every race, and class. We have every ability, and disability. We are of every age. We won't let them push us back into the closet.

The Future is Here.

The future is here and it looks too much like the past. Join with CAAN to begin the conversation that forges a way to create a Safe Community for All. It cannot be legislated, history has proven this. It begins in our hearts.